Our trip started out rather stressful, so there are not pictures to recap the airport & the excitedness the little ones felt getting up at 5:00 in the morning to head to the airport....
We got to the airport 2 hours early, but due to extreme amount of inefficiencies, we ended up boarding our flight about 5 minutes before take off - not exactly a warm fuzzy feeling. As soon as we finally boarded that flight, they announced we were going to be about 10-15 minutes delayed in landing in San Francisco. We were already cutting it little close with a 45 minute layover to make our connection, but we managed to sprint to the gate and make it just before they closed the gates. We had a 4 hour layover in Honolulu, but it was kind of nice to be able to just sit and relax for a bit!
Some funny quotes from the kids on the flights:
As we were getting ready to take off in Houston Corry said to Drew: "We are getting ready to blast off!"
Drew explaining ear popping: "I had to suck my thumb so my ears wouldn't blow up"
We finally made it to Kauai, on time, and in one piece! Here are a few pictures to recap our week in paradise
The view from our Bali Hai condo in Princeville, Kauai
One of our daily visitors - coming to collect whatever crumbs had been left behind from breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
On father's day the kiddos all made their daddy's pictures - Drew's is of Jimmy pulling a cat's tail. How appropriate and thoughtful.
Daddy's little princess
The girls enjoyed checking themselves out in the full wall of mirrors in the living area of our condo.
Drew enjoying the waves at Hanalei Bay
Corry LOVED using the boogie board to surf the waves
Mr. Max preferred to either sleep, build sand castles, or throw rocks into the ocean while we were at the beaches.
One of the kids favorite evenings was when we did our own personal bonfire & luau on Hanalei Bay beach. The girls provided the hula dancing & singing entertainment
The sunset
Building the bonfire
One morning Deachi & I ran to the store while Jimmy stayed back with the kids. They wanted to go for a walk. Much to my horror, this is how I found
Drew dressed when we returned.
There isn't much tour wise that the kids can do in Kauai because of their age, but we did find a place that would rent us kayaks as long as the kids wore life vests. We kayaked up and down the Hanalei River
There was a torrential downpour shortly after we started our trip, so we found cover under some low hanging trees.
Olech & Lindsay were in a kayak with
T-Dawg, and ended up not being huge fans of kayaking. They cut the kayak trip a little short and hung out at the rental area until the Payne's & Dautrich's finished
One evening we headed out by the lighthouse for dinner & scenery. Before we left we had a chance for a few photos on Mom & Dad's deck
Drew thoroughly enjoyed terrorizing a rooster in the rain - he chased that sucker for quite a while before taking a break to eat some dinner.
The Payne's at the Fish Market
Corry & Grandma Chebs
Superman & his Daddy
This enormous tree had the audacity to trip Mr. Max and make him fall.
Calyn found a pretty fabulous bendy cat.
Corry modeling with our bright blue rental
The lighthouse
I think someone was a little sick of me asking her to smile.
We found another tour the kiddos could do - a train ride through the Gaylord plantation. Calyn found a flower!
The boys getting ready to board the train
My boys
We got to stop and feed the pigs, chickens, goats & sheep. Sadly, we learned that these pigs are used for the luaus. Shhhh...don't tell the kids.
After the train ride, the boys headed to the golf course, and the girls took the kids for lunch & beach time in Poi Pu. We were hoping to see the monk seals, but no such luck.
Enjoying a little ice cream
More beach time
That evening Grandma Chebs & Grandpa Bob had the kids over for a sleepover so the adults could enjoy a nice dinner. I'm happy to report that I not only ate seafood for the first time in I don't know how long, but I also ate sushi! I actually kind of enjoyed it. Not sure it will become a staple in my diet, but if ever we go out again with people for sushi, I may actually partake.
The next morning the adults did a little hiking along some secluded trails.
All of us at Queen Emma's Bath
Photo ops at a hidden waterfall
Then we hiked to a different area which was a bit more treacherous, but the views from the cliffs were amazing.
Lindsay chose to enjoy the views from a bit higher up
Pure beauty in this picture
Our last day at the beach the kids were all a little over it - Uncle Matt suggested they bury Uncle Jimmy/Dad in the sand and that seemed to brighten spirits
Of course the kids wanted to be buried, but we couldn't be mature adults and just bury them....
Drew with Sand Boobs
Drew with a big "log"
And the mature picture of Drew buried in the sand
The girls wanted to go together
A rinse off
The boys dug a huge hole
Our last night in Kauai - Mom & Dad treated us to dinner at the Hanalei Dolphin - both our kids were kind enough to fall asleep, so we were able to have a nice peaceful dinner
The morning before we left we attempted to get family pictures. Disaster is the only thing I can think of to describe this event.
After a few threats, finally got some smiles from my kiddos
Our flight ended up being delayed 2 hours leaving Honolulu, so that was a bit of a bummer, but the kids all did really well on the flight home. I think all four were asleep before, or shortly after take off and slept the majority of the way to Houston. We were all sad to leave Kauai - hope to be back again someday soon! Such a beautiful island.
